March in review: Global actions take on factory farming cruelty

Animal Equality faced some of the toughest battles in animal protection last month. Here’s how supporters turned the tide for animals.

April 15, 2025

Bird,Ingredient,Ducks, geese and swans,Dish,Comfort food,Duck

March marked a turning point for animal advocacy, with efforts spanning from India to Mexico.
Advocates took action in Arizona, Germany, and Brazil to protect hens from overcrowded cages.
Meanwhile, protests highlighted male chick killing in the egg industry–including calls to enforce Italy’s 2022 ban.
In Spain, Animal Equality urged a major corporation to end foie gras sales and pushed for a review of force-feeding laws.
Through investigations and legislative action, advocates pushed for stronger laws in factory farms, slaughterhouses, and backyard operations.

Hens in crisis: The campaign against cages

In cramped, overcrowded cages, hens in the egg industry cannot spread their wings. Their filthy, disease-ridden conditions lead to infections and premature death, with many hens trampling their dead or injured cagemates.

Here’s how advocates fought to stop this cruelty in March:

Protecting Arizona’s hens: In 2022, Arizona passed a rule banning eggs from caged hens. In March, Arizona’s governor quietly delayed it until 2034. Over 650 advocates contacted their legislators, urging them to uphold the original timeline.

Grocery giant in the hot seat: Animal Equality intensified its campaign against Ahold Delhaize, the parent company of Food Lion, Giant Food, Hannaford, and Stop & Shop. Demonstrations took place across mainland Europe, the U.K., and the U.S., including London, Madrid, Milan, Quincy (Massachusetts), Copenhagen, and Hamburg.

Global retailer to phase out cages: REWE Group publicly reported progress on its commitment to source all its eggs from uncaged hens by year’s end. This follows pressure from the Open Wing Alliance, a global coalition that includes Animal Equality.

Hotel chains under fire in Brazil: Animal Equality called on Bourbon and Blue Tree Hotels to stop using eggs from caged hens. During an event at the University of São Paulo, advocates delivered over 80,000 petition signatures and directly confronted Blue Tree’s CEO. They also protested a sustainability event where Bourbon Hotels’ ESG Director was speaking.

Egg industry urged to drop male chick slaughter

In the egg industry, male chicks are killed shortly after hatching because they cannot lay eggs or grow large enough for meat. Billions are killed through crushing, gassing, or shredding in industrial macerators.

Here’s how Animal Equality took action for male chicks last month:

Italy’s wake-up call: Animal Equality’s demonstrations sparked debate in Italy’s Parliament about the ongoing slaughter of male chicks. A Member of Parliament criticized the delay of a 2022 law meant to end the practice, urging the Ministries of Agriculture, Health, and Business to enforce it.
Protest in Rome: Animal Equality protested outside Agricoltura È–a Ministry of Agriculture event in Rome–demanding enforcement of Italy’s 2022 chick killing ban.
Innovative solutions: A report by Animal Equality in Spain highlighted “in-ovo sexing” technology, which determines a chick’s sex before hatching, preventing male chicks from being born. Advocates urge European companies and lawmakers to support this solution.

Billions of baby birds face death on the day they are born simply because their lives are not profitable. Please sign the petition to end this massacre.

Read the petition

Advocates say ‘no’ to force-feeding

Foie gras is produced by force-feeding ducks and geese until their livers swell to up to ten times their normal size. These diseased liver are served as pâté in high-end restaurants.

Here’s how Animal Equality took action against force-feeding in March:

Spanish lawmakers speak out: Sumar—a Spanish political group—has submitted questions to Congress, urging the Government to clarify its position on force-feeding, consider legal reforms to ban the practice, and evaluate removing foie gras from official events.
Pressure rises against Spanish retailer: Animal Equality sent a formal letter to El Corte Inglés–one of Spain’s largest retailers–demanding an immediate halt to foie gras sales across its stores.

Sign our petition calling for a ban on the sale and production of foie gras in the United States.

Read the petition

Shaping laws to protect animals

In March, Animal Equality stepped up its fight against cruelty on all fronts–including factory farms, slaughterhouses, and backyard operations.

Controversy in Connecticut: State lawmakers advanced a bill legalizing commercial rabbit breeding and slaughter. Hundreds of advocates contacted legislators, urging them to reject the bill.
Pig farming exposed: An investigation into India’s pig farms and slaughter sites uncovered rampant legal violations. Advocates submitted recommendations for stronger pig protections to the government, and a nationwide petition demanded urgent reforms.
Formal complaint filed in Spain: Animal Equality opposed a last-minute change by the Ministry of Agriculture, extending the deadline for pig welfare improvements to 2026. Advocates argue that the delay favors industry profits over animal protection.
Animal cruelty enters the discussion: During a debate at the University of São Paulo’s law school, Animal Equality’s Executive Director for Brazil advocated for stronger farmed animal protections.
A new era for animals in Mexico: Following Mexico’s historic constitutional reform, Animal Equality continued working with legislators to pass the country’s first nationwide animal protection law.
Addressing the “Enforcement Problem”: Animal Equality was invited to speak at the U.K. Parliament, where political leaders showed a new level of focus on enforcing animal protection laws. The Government’s own advisory body–the Animal Sentience Committee–is now backing Animal Equality’s recommendations.
U.K. expert research tells all: New research commissioned by Animal Equality raises alarm bells over the stunning of pigs using CO₂ gas at slaughter. Despite facing criticism for its cruelty, the practice remains legal in the U.K. Animal Equality continues to call for alternative methods.

You can end this cruelty! Please sign our petition calling for ending factory farming in the United States.

Compassionate eating: Changing the conversation

Animal Equality is making plant-based eating delicious and accessible through Love Veg, its global program. With simple recipes, practical tips, and helpful resources, Love Veg makes it easier for everyone to reduce animal suffering at each meal.

Plant-based takes the floor: Animal Equality addressed the Spanish Congress to highlight the lack of animal protection in food policy. The organization called on leaders to prioritize plant-based foods—for animals, public health, and the planet—over industry profits.
Inspiring a new generation: Animal Equality visited the Autonomous University of Mexico in Lerma and shared investigative footage with students. They discussed how students’ food choices—and professional skills—can protect animals.
Love Veg in the media: On World Meat-Free Day, Animal Equality’s Love Veg program earned its first media coverage in Brazil. Launched in 2023, the program has already reached thousands, tapping into Brazil’s fast-growing plant-based market.

Ready to start your plant-based journey? Visit Love Veg for everything you need to make the transition simple, enjoyable, and rewarding.